NEW BEDFORD — Over the 10 years since the Rev. Marc Fallon began his work with Catholic Social Services, he has become one of the immigrant community's most outspoken advocates, establishing himself as Central Americans became the city's most rapidly growing immigrant group.

"It has certainly been my pleasure and my privilege in 10 years with Catholic Social Services, to work with a variety of people (from Central America) ... who have a highly developed sense of community," Fallon said.

"El Padre Marcos," as he's called by Spanish speakers, was speaking at a Dec. 29 Mass celebrating the 10th anniversary of his work with the group. The event was attended by about 100 people at St. Kilian Church, which is central to the city's Mayan Indians.

Fallon belongs to the Congregation of Holy Cross. Corinn Williams, executive director of the Community Economic Development Center, views Fallon in the tradition of Catholic clergy like slain Salvadorean Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was killed in 1980 for his condemnation of military atrocities.

"There's been a long history in supporting the movements for social change in Central America, so it's sort of a natural progression that Catholic priests in the U.S. played a central role in the solidarity movement," she said.

In 21st century New Bedford, that has translated for Father Fallon into work on behalf of the city's immigrants. Williams said Fallon has played a significant role in securing church funds for local immigrant-led groups, including Centro Comunitario Trabajadores and the Maya K'iche Organization.

Adrian Ventura, executive director of the Centro Comunitario Trabajadores, has worked alongside "el Padre Marcos" for years. He recalls Fallon's efforts during the raid at the Michael Bianco factory in 2007, when 361 workers were swept up by federal agents.

"When the raid happened it was him who organized various meetings," Ventura said in Spanish. "He also got food (and diapers) together for the children of the detained."

Ventura said Fallon supported the formation of Nuevo Amanecer, or New Sunrise, a "charismatic" Catholic group established in 2006. Nuevo Amanecer was meant to prevent newly arriving immigrants from falling into pitfalls like drugs and gangs, instead offering a celebration of the Gospel in a uniquely Central American context, and Fallon helped them to secure a space to hold their activities.

Padre Marcos is a mainstay at events involving immigrants' rights demonstrations, workers pickets, and a recent meeting with Mayor Jon Mitchell and Police Chief David Provencher about street violence against local Central Americans. For Ventura, all these activities distinguish Fallon from others in the church.

"I'll tell it to you straight," Ventura said. "Not all of the priests practice the Gospel. Padre Marcos is in with both feet, and he's criticized for it. Sometimes he's called a traitor."

In late 2007 Fallon came under fire for comparing anti-immigrant commentators on WBSM-AM to Nazis. In December of that year, the late Raimundo Delgado wrote a letter in The Standard-Times arguing that a group of conservatives had united to crucify Fallon, "a man who has dedicated his life to the poor and powerless victims of the United States government inaction regarding immigration."

In the letter, Delgado said Fallon should be made man of the year.

"I stand with Father Marc and support his work for Catholic Social Services. He has touched the lives of countless immigrants by trying to fix the chaos that the United States government has created for these people."

Helena DaSilva Hughes, executive director at the Immigrants' Assistance Center, said she has worked with Fallon on many occasions, particularly after the Bianco raid.

"He's a very caring person and a huge advocate when it comes to the immigrant community," Hughes said. "He is someone that the immigrant community looks up to for advocacy, and he's just a remarkable man."